What do you think about a writer who does this?

Question

Well, to give you an example. She is writing a fictional story set in the 60's.....she has never smoked weed before in her life, but to be able to give a real description of what it is like to get high she smokes some marijuana.

Do you think someone who does something like that is very dedicated to their work or do you think something else?

This was just an example. I do not know anybody who is going to smoke pot to write a book....I'm just talking about researching something so thoroughly.

Answer 1

I won't answer your question as asked, because I have a question to your question:

If you knew what mind altering drugs/substances some of the best writers the world has ever known were 'on'...would that alter your perception of their writing?

You would be quite surprised to learn the habits of some of the greatest writers of the world. Quite surprised.
They include but are not limited to:
Heroin
Absinthe
Peyote
Marijuana
Methamphetamine
And on and on.
In knowing who...would you then feel differently about their work?
We are speaking here of writing and not something else.
It is her choice and no one elses.
And noone's place to judge.
One may not agree with the choice personally, but they have no right to judge.
If it is not okay with you, you must decide to continue or discontinue your friendship with her.
You don't need anyone elses opinion or approval on this.
How do YOU feel?

Answer 2

The author's intention may be to give an accurate description of a marijuana experience by smoking marijuana, and some might translate this as an act of dedication. But, it's not a very good idea to smoke pot to write the story. First of all, marijuana will probably make the author less creative and maybe less motivated to write the story. Marijuana has a tendency to do that to people. Secondly, there is enough literature, documented interviews, and witnesses about the effects and experience of getting high. A truly skilled writer would be able to write the story without having to have a personal experience with getting high. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote about "Tender is the Night", a story about severe mental illness, yet he was not mentally ill. His wife, however, was. He was able to channel her experience into one of the main characters of the story.

Answer 3

Ok, as a writer, I believe you do whatever you feel you need to in order to write a book how you want. It's part of research, and research is very important. no one should judge you if they try, because the passion of being a writer means we have to sacrifice our own beliefs and restrictions sometimes. Would you rather read a book that deals with all of the issues from the 60's or just a select few? It has to do with the completeness of a novel, not the action itself.

Answer 4

Honestly, authors need to write from what they know, and you can't know the 60's culture from one marijuana cigarette. Similar too how standing in a crowded room won't help you know what being the captain of a U-boat was like. Especially since this writer needs the excuse of writing a book to smoke pot, she definitely needs to A. quit B. write about something else.

Answer 5

I think she's dedicated to her work, but there is a limit. Pot is one thing, it doesn't really hurt anyone, and if it makes your writing more realistic, more power to you. But, on the other hand, there's something to be said for imaginative thinking. Not to mention that not everyone's experience of things is the same. And I certainly hope that Steven King doesn't do too much of this kind of research!

Answer 6

I think dedication, it has been proven that alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are far worse for brain cells (not to mention your circulatory system). If she just tried it to get a first hand account of what it feels like to get high, then more power to her. I dont smoke myself, but I have tried it. I dont like it, but I know what being high feels like and the only way for her to really experience this enough to write about it is to do exactly what she did. Hopefully it doesnt become a habit, because longterm use CAN and WILL affect your reproductive system, your memory, but in all actuality, alcohol kills way more brain cells than mary jane does, and nicotine is more addictiong that heroine, so MJ is a pretty benign drug to "try". (btw, I have aPhD in Psychology and I teach college students about this and other substances abused by a good majority of Americans, but even more so, by citizens of the rest of the world (Amsterdam, Germany, France - not to mention the Native Americans and the Mexicans who have been using the drug MJ for its wonderful health properties - ie: relieves nausea, aides cancer patients thru pain and chemo, expands the imagination, and substantially aides in the treatment of glaucoma). I tell my students the harmful effects and they can make their own decisions, but I do NOT endorse anyone smoking anything...inhaling smoke into your lungs isnt a good thing any way you look at it, regardless of the kind of smoke - look at clove cigarettes!

Answer 7

It is something else that is why they are so dedicated. You always hear about artists or writers really get into their work and will do anything for their work. That is why more of logical thinkers think that they are crazy because of the work they do.

Answer 8

TO ALL THE PEOPLE ABOVE ME.

Heh, she's dedicated. As long as it doesn't have a negative effect on her writing, which it shouldn't, it's fine.

Hell, if anything, the high she gets will probably be more beneficial to her rather than approaching aging hippies and asking about how they felt when they were high.

EDIT: Yeh gods, you people listen to EVERYTHING. Alls I got to say is this: Look both ways before you ever cross a street.

Answer 9

They should do it in the care of experianced and trusted friends. Interview friends first to make sure you want to do it. Don't let determination affect you negatively(most of the time)

Answer 10

She may be dedicated, but by no means a genius. There are better and more legal ways to research a novel...